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Cuomo: Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston

Cuomo: Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston

One of the blast sites on Boylston Street near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon is seen in Boston one day after bomb blasts killed three and injured over 140 people. FBI agents searched a suburban Boston apartment overnight and appealed to the public for amateur video and photos that might yield clues to who carried out the Boston Marathon bombing. AP Photo/Elise Amendola

By Paula Katinas

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

In the wake of the horrific bombings in Boston on April 15, Gov. Andrew Cuomo released a statement expressing solidarity with the people of that city. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston and Massachusetts as reports come in on the horrific tragedy at the Boston Marathon,” Cuomo stated.

“I have directed state agencies, including the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, state police, the MTA and the Port Authority, to be on a heightened state of alert as we learn more about this incident. New York National Guard on Sunday sent three vehicles and 6 soldiers to support the Marathon, and they are on hand to assist with emergency response and work together with local authorities following this incident," the governor stated.

Two bombs that exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killed three people and injured 176 others. Seventeen of the victims were listed in critical condition in area hospitals, the Boston Globe reported on April 16.

Here is a roundup of statements from other elected officials and political candidates in reaction to the bombings.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg: “As law enforcement authorities investigate today’s explosions in Boston, I ask all New Yorkers to keep the victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers. I have spoken with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, and the NYPD has stepped up security at strategic locations and critical infrastructure, including our subways. Some of the security steps we are taking may be noticeable, including deployment of Critical Response Vehicles and additional police personnel, and others will not be. We have 1,000 members of the NYPD assigned to counter-terrorism duties, and they – along with the entire NYPD and the investments we have made in counter-terrorism infrastructure – are being fully mobilized to protect our city.”

US Rep. Michael Grimm (R-C-Bay Ridge-Staten Island) wrote on his twitter account: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tragedies in Boston.”

Also on Twitter, US Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Bensonhurst-Bay Ridge-Manhattan) wrote: “My heart is heavy knowing we must still grapple w/ terrorism in the USA. New York stands in solidarity w/ Boston in this moment of grief.”

Democratic mayoral hopeful Sal Albanese: "I'm sending my thoughts and prayers to the people of Boston today. The scenes we're seeing are terrifying and tragic. Unfortunately, they aren't unfamiliar to New Yorkers. As the NYPD beefs up security, New Yorkers must stay vigilant. A decade of strong anti-terrorism efforts have helped keep the city safe, but we can never allow ourselves to become complacent. We also can't jump to conclusions or make assumptions about who is responsible. Boston authorities will know in due time, and I'm confident that justice will be served."

Councilman Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst): “The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and ranks as one of the world's best-known road racing events. I know there were many New Yorkers in Boston today taking part in their famous marathon. We as Americans stand in solidarity with the city of Boston as they work with law enforcement to understand exactly what happened today as more details unfold. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the explosions at the Boston marathon, their families, and the first responders on the ground right now.”